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Around the World in a Face

BAMFORDCountry: EnglandProducts in Range: Four lines, 18 productsBest Seller: Botanic Eucalyptus Body Wash ($40) Founder Carole Bamford had already achieved success with her collection of luxury apparel; launching an equally high-end skincare line was the logical next step. Bamford’s ethos is that what goes on the body is just as important as what goes in it. To that end, she created products that are organic and completely natural, made with ingredients that are free from harmful chemicals (parabens, mineral oils) and come in degradable packaging. Available at Barneys, 660 Madison Avenue, 212-826-8900.

SPONGE SKINCARECountry: GreeceProducts in Range: One line, 10 productsBest Seller: Ladi Avokanto/Avocado Oil ($100) Olive-oil based and crafted from herbs cultivated and grown in Greece, Sponge skincare is formulated to reduce signs of fatigue and keep the skin radiant by helping improve circulation, among other benefits. Owned by Markos Lambros Drakotos, the company, which takes its name from the sponges that grow on the island of Symi, near Rhodes (home of the famed Colossus), bases its philosophy on the idea that the skin, like a sponge, must absorb beneficial natural ingredients to stay healthy. Available at Barneys New York, 660 Madison Avenue, 212-826-8900.

BEAUTY BY CLINICA IVO PITANGUY SKIN CARECountry: BrazilProducts in Range: Two lines, 15 productsBest Seller: Face Lifting Formula ($240 The brand, founded by plastic surgeon Ivo Pitanguy and previously only available to patients of his Clinica in Rio de Janeiro, is a favorite of France’s first lady, Carla Sarkozy: She recently sent a note to the company’s stateside distributor saying how much she loves Pitanguy’s “merveilleux produits.” Focused largely on antiaging and lifting, the products are made using ingredients from environmentally sustainable plants. Available at Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Avenue, 212-753-7300.

EUOKOCountry: CanadaProducts in Range: Five lines, 25 productsBest Seller: Y30 Intense Lift Concentrate ($500) Euoko’s Brandon Truaxe has an unusual background for a cosmeceutical entrepreneur—he sold his software company and used the profit he made to fund his skincare brand. Why? Because while he was in technology, he did some work for a large cosmetics company and learned how much money women were willing to pay for skincare products. Euoko, which launched this year, focuses on five concerns: radiance, aging, whitening, blemishes, and environmental protection. Available at Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Avenue, 212-753-7300.

NATURA BISSÉCountry: SpainProducts in Range: 11 lines, 75 productsBest Seller: Diamond Extreme Cream ($318) Barcelona is home to this family-owned company, which was created in 1979 by Ricardo Fisas. (Full disclosure: Gotham’s editor in chief is an ambassador for the brand.) The belief that looking young and feeling young are of equal importance is at the heart of Natura Bissé, which has a product for just about every skincare concern. An eye cream was launched this spring as an expansion to its successful Diamond antiaging collection. Available at Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Avenue, 212-753-7300.

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